Gravity traveling figure toy



R. D. DAWLEY GRAVITY TRAVELING FIGURE TOY Filed June 1. 1925 I/VVE/VTOR. RAL'PI/ Myra/v D/IWLEY.

Patented Nov. 30,1926.

' UNITED STATES 'TPATEVNT OFFICE. 1

RALPH DAY'TON DAWIEY, or sex 'rn'ancrsc cnmronmn.

GRAVITY TRAVELING FIGURE TOY Application am June 1, 1m. s mi m. 34,011;

object of my invention is to provide a; toy,

'which may be commercially produced in large numbers.

Another object is to provide a to which will accurately balance, when pro need in commercial numbers, without requiring individual attention. Other objects, advantage, and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailedqdescription and the appended claimsv In the drawing in which the preferred form of my invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my toy.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with one of the legs removed.

F ig. 3 .is a plan view.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of my to in various operative ositions.

ig. 5 is a side view 0 a slightly modified form of toy embodying my invention.-

Fig. 6 is a side view of another modified form of toy.

My .toy consists of a body 1. which may be shaped as a fish, as in Figs. 1 to 4.-as a camel, as in Fig. 5, or as an elephant, as in Fig. 6, or in any other desired shape or configuration.

A pair of legs 2--3, are pivoted to the body 1 by a pin 4. which extends thru said legs and body. The lower surfaces of the legs 2-3 are arcuate as at 5. so that the toy may roll thereon as will be further described, and the legs are substantially triangular in shape.

A hole 6 is bored through the body 1 between the legs 2-3 and below the pivot 4, and a stop in 7 is soured in said legs and extends thru said hole. The pivot 4 is ositioned above the center of gravity 0 the body 1 and is approximately in vertical line with said center when the toy is in the position shown in-Fig. 1. The bore 6 and pin 7 are so located relatively to each other that the legs are permitted to swing substantially an equal distance both sides of said vertical line.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the lower surface 8 of the body is substantially straight from a point 9 at the rear to a point 10 forwardly of the legs 2-:3. A surface 11 inclines forwardly and upwardly from the mint 10. In Figs. 5 and 6 the surfaces '9'. and 10 constitute the. bottom portions of the rear and front legs respectively.

In operation the toy is placed on an inclined surface 12, with the point 9 and the arcuate surface 5 engaging said surface, as shown at w. s

The 'toy rolls forwardly on the legs. 2-3 which ivot about the pin 4, until the pin 7. engages the rear surface of the bore 6. At this stage the forward end of the toy overbalances, and tilts forwardly on the point 10 and surface 11, as shown at Y.

The legs 2-3 are now free and swing for- I wardly until the stop pin 7 engages the for- 7 Ward edge of the bore 6, which overbalances the rear of the toy and the position X is returned to and the previously described operation is repeated. It will be seen that the amount of swinging of the legs 2-3 is vital, and this is controlled by the bomb, thru which the pin 7 extends. This bore is formed with a'drill, which is accurate and rapid in its operation, and each toy will be exactly alike and therefore will not require individual handling or balancing. Also the pins 4 and 7 extend thru both legs 2, 3 and through the body 1, this also materially increasing the speed and accuracy of manufacture. My toy is preferably formed of wood although any other desirable material mav be used.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A gravity traveling figure toy comprising a body, a leg pivoted on either side of said body adjacent the center of gravity of the body, said body having a bore therein, a

stop pin secured to said legs and extending through said bore whereby the amount of swing of said legs is limited and said body being provided with supporting surfaces adapted to alternate with said legs to sup.- port said body as the toy is traveling.

2. A gravity traveling figure toy comprising a body, a leg oneither side of said body. a pivot pin extending through said legs and body, said pin being positioned above thecenter of gravity of said body. said body having a bore extending therethrough and positioned between said legs, a stop pin extending through said legs and said bore whereby the amount of swing of said legs is limited, the lower surfaces ofthe legs are roll thereon, and

- aid body being: provided surfaces adapted to alternate with said legs to supportsaid body as the toy is traveling.

3. A gravity.travehn; figure toy con1pr1sing: a body. a leg on either side of said body,

a pivot pin extending through said legs and body, said pin being positioned above the center of gravity of said body, said body having a bore extending therethrongh and positioned between said legs, a stop pin extending through said legs and said bore whereby the amount of swingof said legs is limited, the lower-surfaces of the legs are arcnate so that the toy may roll thereon, said body being formed with a straight lower surface from the rear thereof to a. point adjacent the forward end thereof, and thence inclined upwardly and forwardly, said inclined surface being adapted to alternate with the legs to support said body, as the toy is traveling.

In witness whereof I this day set my hand.

RALPH DAYTON DAWLEY. 

